In a vibrant keynote at the 13th World Peace Forum held at Tsinghua University in Beijing, former Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama called for a fresh approach to East Asian cooperation. Highlighting the need for regional independence, he warned that the U.S. is facing deep internal divisions and economic slowdowns, declaring, "America has changed, and it can't go back." 😮
Rejecting the old model of unconditional alignment, Hatoyama championed a bold 'third way'—one that pushes for stronger trilateral ties among Japan, China, and South Korea. He proposed a swift leaders' summit and a high-standard free trade agreement building on the RCEP framework to boost the region's resilience. He also encouraged Japan to join initiatives like the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and participate in Belt and Road projects, signaling a shift towards greater diplomatic autonomy. 🔥
Addressing sensitive regional issues, Hatoyama stressed the importance of avoiding conflict in the Taiwan Strait, stating unequivocally, "Taiwan is China's internal affair." His message of fraternity, mutual respect, and dialogue over ideological confrontation resonates strongly in today’s fast-changing global landscape. 🚀
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Former Japanese PM calls for East Asian unity at World Peace Forum
cgtn.com
